Best Bug Out Bag Backpack: Features to Look for and Considerations

The best bug out bag backpack is something every survivalist should have on hand in the event of an emergency. A bug out bag is a container of sorts, one that will carry everything you could need in an emergency situation and that can get you through a period of at least 72 hours. Of course, bug out bags are not only for survivalists. The best premade bug out bags can prove ideal for just about anyone who is wise and who is looking to prepare for an emergency situation, whether that situation is due to a natural disaster like a hurricane, tornado, or other store.

The best bags are great items to have in the event of an evacuation. You don’t have to be an extreme emergency prepper or survivalist to get a bug out bag for just about any emergency situation.

A bit about bug out bags

Bug out bags are preparedness measures where you have a bag containing everything you’ll need to survive in an emergency situation. Pre made bug out bags have a variety of materials in them, and the quantity of the materials is highly dependent on how many people the bag is intended for as well as how many days worth of materials the bag will contain.

Some bags are good for 72 to 96 hours while others can get a person through for a two week period. The primary difference between a bug out bag and a survival kit is that the bug out bag is for use during a shorter duration than the survival kit.

The bag contains a variety of materials, including foods with an extended shelf life, hygiene items, and tools you can use in an emergency situation. Bug Out Bags are something you can put together by yourself or you can simply buy a pre made bug out bag with all the materials you need in it.

The name “bug out bag” is quite similar to the name for the emergency kits aviators in the military often carry called “bail out bags.” Bug out bags are referred to by a number of different nicknames including:

72 hour kit

Battle box

BOB

Get out of dodge bag

Go bag

Good bag

Grab bag

I’m never coming home bag

InchBig

Personal emergency relocation kit

Bug out bags benefits

In the event of an emergency, there is often so little time to think or prepare. A bug out bag is already packed and waiting for you to grab: this makes the item perfect if you are in a hurry and you need to get out of a location quickly. The supplies you need will all be in one location and you won’t have to race around looking for the things you need to take with you during an emergency or evacuation.

Pre made bug out bags give you product variety, and pretty much everything you need in order to survive. However, the bags have no customizations, so you may want to buy a bag with additional free space and pockets to add some of the things you might want to bring with you in an emergency situation that the premade bag does not contain.

The premade bug out bags on the market today all vary in terms of size, what they contain, how long they will last, and how many people the bag will serve. Of course, price varies too, so you’ll need to assess your needs before you can invest in a bag for your emergency survival needs. Here are some things to consider when looking for a pre made bug out bag:

How much food does the bag contain?

What is the shelf life of the food?

How many people will the bag provide for and for how long?

Is the bag affordable?

Bug out bag selection

When you are choosing a pre made bug out bag, you’ll want to give consideration to the weight of the bag when it is full to its capacity. After all, you are going to be carrying the bag around, and most likely carrying it on your back. Imagine having to carry the bag for an hour or more while hiking through the woods. That’s why it’s imperative to bring all of the essentials with you in your bug out bag, but the essentials only! If you find the bag is too heavy for you, then it’s time to go through the items in the bag and see what you can do without.

Premade bug out bags come in a variety of styles, but you’ll want one with plenty of pockets and hideaway spaces. The more pockets and spaces you have, the more you can bring with you. It also means you can pack the bag with a greater degree of organization. Plenty of pockets and space allows you to know exactly where you put everything and makes all of your gear readily accessible in an emergency situation.

The appearance of your bug out bag is important. In an emergency situation, you don’t want everyone in the world to know that you are carrying around limited supplies. Thus, the bag you have shouldn’t look like it’s an emergency bag, but an ordinary backpack. Choose a pre made bug out bag made of simple materials, muted colors, and a design that’s not attention-grabbing.

Bug out bag items

Whether you are buying a pre made bug out bag or you want to pack a bag from scratch, there are some contents that every bug out bag should definitely have within it.

Here’s a list of some of the most common contents in today’s pre made bug out bags:

Food: The food you choose needs to be enough for however many people you want to plan for, and it should be at least enough to feed you for 72 hours or more. Foods in pre made bug out bags are specialty foods often in Mylar bags to ensure long lasting freshness. The shelf life of the food can be between five and ten years. The foods are often dried goods or mixes that you can add water too in order to consume. See our article on how to choose the best emergency food for survival, it’s a must-read.

Water – some pre made bug out bags have containers of water or water inside pouches. If you are making your own bag, you may want to add water purification tablets. A straw water filter or filtering system of some kind is also recommended. Consider enough water as being about two to three liters of water per day per person you are packing the bag for at the time.

Blankets

Compass

Dining set and cooking utensils

Emergency first aid kit

Hygiene items including toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, clothes, floss

Knife and multi-all in one tool

Radio/Flashlight/Charger

Sleeping bags

Survival guide

Tube tents

Waterproof matches, tinder, lighters, flints.

More bug out bag necessities

Additional items you may want to consider adding to the bug out bag, if you have the spare room, include:

Batteries

Binoculars

Bug repellant

Cell phone

Cord

Crank power charger

Duct tape

Emergency candles

Fishing kit

Glowsticks

Handcrank radio

LED headlamp

LED keychain

napkins

Respiratory masks

Self defense items like a handgun or pepper spray

Sewing kit

Signal mirror

Small amount of cash

Toilet paper

Whistle

You’ll definitely want to make room for any medications you may need, a change or clothes, garbage bags, and sunglasses as well as sunscreen. In lieu of a tent, you can bring a tarp with you in the bag, but make sure you also bring at least one blanket for warmth. It is probably best for you to sit down and make a complete list of everything you want in the bag before you start to pack it. See also our article on the best survival blankets to help you in any situation.

The Urban survival bug out bag

The Urban Survival Bug Out Bag is among the best pre made bug out bags on the market. Crafted by Emergency Zone, the Urban Survival Bug Out Bag, the bag contains enough contents for two to four people, depending on the kit you buy.

The price $120.00 to $150.00, depending on the size of the bag you order. In the two person emergency kit, you get all of the following materials:

SOS brand water and food made in the US: 12 4.2 oz water pouches and 2 3600 calorie bars, both of which are US Coast Guard approved

The backpack: The bag is plain in color to avoid attracting attention. Fitted with extra pockets so you can add personal belongings. The bag measures 8” x 14” x 10”, and weighs just over 12 pounds for the two person kit.

Tube tents

Two light sticks

Water container for water purification

Water purification powder

The food in the pack has a five-year shelf life. The kit for four people is comprised of double the contents in a two-person bag. All contents are inside zip lock bags.

Premium 2 week bug out bag

The Premium 2 Week Bug Out Bag is one of the upper level bags for sale and definitely ranks among the best pre made bug out bags you can buy. Priced at around $300.00, the bag can hold you over for a period of two weeks.

The Premium Bug Out Bag is a product by Food Insurance – Emergency Preparedness Food and Products. The bug out bag has all of the following features and materials:

Backpack measures about 24” high x 13” wide x 8” deep. The bag is made of heavy duty material, is about 2500 cubic inches in terms of interior space, and is made or water resistant materials.

Bag weighs just over 22 pounds

Cooking tin

Two weeks of food consisting of enough food for three meals every day (for a single adult)

Foods are stored inside Mylar pouches to ensure freshness.

Foods require added water or are ready to eat fresh out of the bag

Foods have shelf life ranging from seven to ten years

100 gallons water battle and filter

Emergency first aid kit

Heat source (reusable)

All in one tool

Radio/Flashlight

Matches (Waterproof)

Two masks for preventing exposure to pollutants and dust

The Premium Bug Out Bag differs from the Urban Bag as it features a red cross on the front of the bag so it’s a bit more obvious from the bag’s exterior that it is meant for emergency situations.

The Eberlestock bug out bag

The Eberlestock Bug Out Bag will have you prepared for the next 96 hours in an emergency situation. This bag ranks among the best pre made bug out bags for sale.

The bag costs around $900.00, and is a product by Bug Out Bags for Life. The bag has an earthy color and contains all of the following:

100 feet of Paracord

24oo calorie food bars

AC adapter

AM/FM Solar Powered Radio & Flashlight & Charger

Aquamira purifier tablets for water

Blanket

Camp saw

Candle (36 hour life)

Coyote brown rain cover

Double palm gloves

Field dressing

Fishing kit

Folding stove & camp heat

GSI Outdoors 1 Liter Dukjug

Hand warmers

water purification Life straw

Medical kit

Mosquito heat Net

Mosquito Patches

Mossy oak deluxe big game bags

N95 Respiratory masks

Nine piece cooking and dining set

Notebook/pencil (waterproof)

Poncho

Sleeping bag

SOS food lab emergency drinking water packets

Storm proof matches

Survival tool

Tarp and tent

Tube ten

Two litter water bladders

Two servings of pantry entrée meals

Wetfire fire starting tinders

The bag measures 27” x 12” x 10” in its unexpanded state. Hygiene products include things like particulate masks, dental floss, tissue, toilet paper, chapstick, sanitary pads, and shower in a bag, wet naps, and toothbrush. You must be 18 to buy the bag.

The 4 Person Perfect survival kit deluxe

SurvivalKitsOnline manufactures one of the best pre made bug out bags on the market to date: The 4 Person Perfect Suvival Kit Deluxe. Part of what makes this bag so remarkable is that it is amazingly affordable at cost of just under $200.00. The bag is perfect for evacuation situations, earthquake preparation, and preparedness for disasters. The kit contains enough materials to keep you going for 72 hours and has enough products for four people.

The bag itself weighs about 32 pounds. The bug out bag contains all of the following:

In conclusion

A bug out bag is an excellent preparedness item that you can store away in the home so that you have the bag at the ready in an emergency situation.

The bag will ensure you have plenty of food, water, and all of the major necessities you need to survive for a few days to a few weeks. You can pack a bag yourself and personalize all the items you put into the bag or you can invest in an affordable pre made bug out bag with the essentials you’ll need for short term survival already inside the bag. Whatever the case may be, a bug out bag is really something that no person should be without. Having a bug out bag on hand should make you feel more secure about your ability to make it through any emergency situation. Find out how to assemble the best bug out gear to prepare you for any emergencies – check out our article.

About the Author

Samuel Funt

Samuel is a prepper with over 15 years of experience. Samuel is excited to share his knowledge and the things he learns while travelling in British Columbia, Canada where he lives and around the world.

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